6. The act of sprinkling blood on the atonement cover and the entire tabernacle—

Just as the Israelites needed the high priest to apply the blood of a goat to the mercy-seat to make atonement for their sin, it’s only by faith in Jesus’ blood sacrifice we are set free from the bondage of sin. They couldn’t do it for themselves then, and we can’t do it for ourselves now.

For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8 AMP

I feel like I should have so much more to say about this truth because it is the crux of the gospel. But it’s just that simple.

8. Ways people are unclean and rebellious—

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. Genesis 6:5 NLT

The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.”
They are corrupt; they do vile deeds.
There is no one who does good.The Lord looks down from heaven on the human race
to see if there is one who is wise,
one who seeks God.All have turned away;
all alike have become corrupt.
There is no one who does good,
not even one. Psalm 14:1-3 HCSB

Here are six things God hates,
and one more that he loathes with a passion:

eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family. Proverbs 6:16-19 MSG

For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech. Matthew 15:19 AMP

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Romans 1:28-32 NLT

b. Our sin, rebellion, and uncleanness hurt our surroundings.

c. The number one thing I can do—0r at least one thing I should do to keep from hurting my home and elsewhere—

is to have and to display a better attitude. I want to see the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

As an introvert, I naturally need alone time to refuel. Talking and listening, especially to children and dementia Dad—all of whom have communication challenges—drain me of energy.

And I feel like I have ADD when they often interrupt my train of thought. Did I add the salt? Which question was I on? I could have sworn I clicked save after I spent over an hour on that last question!

If I love those I serve the way God loves me—even though I resemble way too many of the scriptures in the previous question—I won’t feel or act put out when Dad tells me the same story about an offense for the umpteenth time. Or when my granddaughter insists I cook something for her other than what we are having and then eats only two bites.

I often feel like a victim. Impatience and frustration bubble to the surface.

But I can’t merely grit my teeth, strain until my face turns red, and make that fruit pop out. If I could do it on my own, I wouldn’t need a savior and a redeemer. I wouldn’t need the Holy Spirit. I wouldn’t need to abide. John 15:4-16

I’m thankful for these personal questions, because they cause me to stop and give myself a spiritual report card. I really hate that I continue to wrestle with the same things day after day.

One simple thing I’ve realized recently—I need more sleep. I helps so much. Easier said than done, I know. I believe the Holy Spirit counseled me with a word of wisdom there.

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